Discover and help conserve our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Our Management Committee

Our Management Committee are involved in delivering the Society’s business plan. The Committee agree an annual action plan. Committee members consist of Chairmen of a sub-committee delivering a particular aspect of the organisation’s activity and others who manage the Society. All our Management Committee members are unpaid volunteers.

Our Management Team

Gordon Jackson – Chairman of the Society

Having lived in Surrey for over 60 years, I have grown up with a passion for the Surrey Hills. I became a Guildford Borough Councillor in June 2000, shortly after I retired as a partner (specialising in Corporate Law) of an international City of London law firm. I have served on a wide variety of committees on the Council and, in addition to my love of the countryside, I have a particular interest in the arts and heritage and a fascination with the innovative research and businesses that are a crucial part of our local economy. I believe it is essential that we embrace forward thinking practices and technologies to sustainably manage the environment in which we live and the wildlife with which we share it.

I was Mayor of Guildford in 2016/17 and was delighted to nominate the Surrey Hills Trust Fund as one of my chosen charities. During my mayoral year, my wife, Sue, and I particularly enjoyed meeting the many volunteers, who do so much in so many different ways to support our local communities and the surrounding countryside.

In our free time, Sue and I love to travel, and I am a keen photographer. We walk a lot both on holiday and at home and are frequent concert and theatregoers. I also play both golf and tennis extremely badly!

Marika Elzinga – Surrey Hills Society Co-ordinator

I am the Co-ordinator of the Society. My role is to ensure that our Trustees, Management Committee and all the other Committees work together smoothly. I keep them informed about each others’ work and progress. I support our Chairman in many ways; meeting minutes, reports, development strategies etc. Also if you call our mobile phone, I will be there to help you as best I can.

I came to the Surrey Hills from France in September 2013 having previously lived half of my life in Finland and the other half in France. I fell in love with this beautiful area from the very beginning and a friend told me about the Surrey Hills Society. A brief meeting with Chris Howard made it clear that I wanted to become an active member. Soon I was asked to participate in the PR and Communications Committee meetings because of my professional background in that area. I enjoyed being part of the team and when the Society advertised for the position of a co-ordinator, naturally, I applied. I started my new job in August 2014.

Previously, I have worked in senior positions for several other charities where I enjoyed the teamwork and possibility to meet new, like-minded people and share ideas.

My work experience spreads from French to Finnish companies, mostly in communications and public relations where human contact is highly valued.

Today the Surrey Hills Society offers me the possibility to work in a magnificent environment with fantastic people, hopefully for a very long time.

Diane Cooper – Marketing and Communication Committee Chairman

I first became involved at the Society’s inaugural meeting at Denbies when many people offered support in various ways to help get the Society off the ground. I started to attend the PR Sub Committee; a role I still do and have now become Editor of the member newsletter three times a year.

My ‘day job’ is fairly well linked to the aims of the Society as I work for Surrey County Council’s Countryside service as a PR & Promotions Officer. The Surrey Hills Partnership is part of this service.

My background before this was less connected to countryside matters but nevertheless in a PR role. I lived for many years in my younger days in the far east in Hong Kong and then Singapore and in that time worked in hotel PR. The years in between were the ‘child rearing’ years!

I’ve always had an interest in the environment and its conservation and one of my main hobbies is to get out there and enjoy our countryside and discover the delights of living in the Surrey Hills.

Stella Cantor - Trustee and Membership Secretary

I was born in Dorking and have lived here in the Surrey Hills for most of my life, so I was keen to join the organisation set up to help protect and promote this beautiful area. I had recently ‘retired’ early and therefore had some spare time to offer.

I first joined the events committee and took on organising one or two events. I was then invited to attend the management committee and was present when the membership secretary announced his wish to stand down. The last job of my working life was as an IT teacher and hence I had some pertinent skills which meant that before I knew what had happened, I had taken over the membership administration of the Society.

My other voluntary job is with Girlguiding and I am active as a commissioner and leader. I consider myself fortunate to be able to offer time to two organisations in whose work I truly believe and to join with other committed volunteers in doing so.

Jeff Holliday – Events Committee Chairman

I was Head of PE at Glebelands for 28 years after three years at Therfield in Leatherhead. Born in South Wales, I moved to Guildford when I was 11 and have lived all my life in the Guildford area. After engrossing myself in sport for most of my life, (the highlight being selected for a Surrey under 18s Cricket team), I am now enjoying getting to know more about the beautiful area in which I am privileged enough to live in during my retirement. I currently volunteer for the Shows and Events team, and chair the Events Committee.

Peter Salisbury – Administrator

Having always lived in Reigate or Redhill I have a great interest in the Surrey Hills. My wife and I joined the Society soon after it was formed and are Founder Members.

Attending events and getting to know members were my first motivation. The great variety of events, walks, visits to houses and gardens (often opened especially for us) and of course ever popular food and drink gatherings makes it fascinating to be part of.

After a few years, I felt the urge to do more and in my present role as the Society’s Administrator, I enjoy helping manage the Society. I take the Minutes of the Trustees, Management and Events committees’ meetings and send round the monthly emails telling members about forthcoming events. I also help producing the confirmations for our events and have recently accepted to manage the Society’s shop. My role evolves according to my wishes and availability.

Away from the Society, I have several other interests to keep me busy, including being a volunteer at the National Trust’s Leith Hill Place and on the Bluebell Railway. I have also been a member of the Scout Association for over 40 years and have held a variety of leadership and administrative roles.

Testimonials

As a new member, I am keen to see unique and interesting walks like this one in Chilworth.